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The Star
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Scrolling on your phone in bed can ruin your sleep, study says
Scrolling through social media until you fall asleep may impact on sleep and increase health problems. — Photo: SEBASTIAN GOLLNOW/dpa People who want a better shot at getting a sound night's shut-eye should make sure it's not just lights out but phone off too when hitting the hay. That's according to scientists in Norway who surveyed around 45,000 students and found that in-bed screen-time increases the risk of developing insomnia by 59% and can shave almost a half an hour off whatever sleep can be had. And while many might assume such restlessness to be down to people fretting over social media posts – perhaps not getting enough likes for their latest Instagram post or scant engagement with a bit of reply-guy trolling on X – the Norwegian survey suggests otherwise. 'Screen use itself is the key factor in sleep disruption – likely due to time displacement, where screen use delays sleep by taking up time that would otherwise be spent resting,' said Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Writing up their findings in the journal Frontiers In Psychiatry, the Norwegian team 'found no significant differences between social media and other screen activities'. 'Screen use is thought to impact sleep in four ways: notifications disturb sleep, screen time replaces sleeping time, screen activities keep you wakeful so you take longer to fall asleep, or light exposure delays circadian rhythms,' according to the researchers, who used data drawn from Norway's 2022 Students' Health and Well-being survey covering 45,202 people between 18 and 28 years old. The Norwegian findings follow the publication on the 28th of a paper in Frontiers In Communication Science showing that people who are constantly distracted by their phones – grabbing it at every notification, losing focus on work – will find other reasons to prevaricate and procrastinate even if they take the drastic cold turkey step of keeping away from the phone for extended periods. 'Putting the smartphone away may not be sufficient to reduce disruption and procrastination, or increase focus,' said Maxi Heitmayer of the London School of Economics, who carried out tests in which 22 people were left to work using their computers and phones for two days in a soundproof room. 'Our phones are an endless source of distraction, and we interact with them every four to six minutes,' publisher Frontiers said. – dpa
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Screen Time In Bed May Increase Insomnia Odds, Study Suggests
If you're reading this in bed on your phone, you're not alone. Lots of people use their phones before and beyond bedtime, especially young adults and teens. Still, you might want to call it a night soon (after you finish reading this, of course). Extended screen time before bed – or in bed – is widely suspected to disrupt sleep, although key details about the dynamic remain unclear. In a new study, researchers tried to shed more light on the issue, using data from a large survey of 45,202 university students in Norway. Screen time in bed is associated with 59 percent higher odds of insomnia, the study found, leading to 24 fewer minutes of total sleep per night. But people use screens in many ways, some of which may affect sleep more than others. Would TV sabotage your slumber as much as social media? Some previous studies suggest social media is especially bad for sleep, even more than other types of screen time. Yet little research has directly compared various screen-based activities and their impact on sleep. Most studies that have done so focused on teenagers, the researchers note. The new study features a slightly older demographic, ranging in age from 18 to 28, and draws from vast data collected for the Students' Health and Well-being Study 2022, a nationally representative study of Norwegian students. The survey contains demographic information about students as well as several health and lifestyle factors, including screen use and sleep. "Sleep problems are highly prevalent among students and have significant implications for mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being, but previous studies have primarily focused on adolescents," says Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland, clinical psychologist at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. "Given the widespread use of screens in bed, we aimed to explore the relationship between different screen activities and sleep patterns," she says. "We expected that social media use might be more strongly associated with poorer sleep, given its interactive nature and potential for emotional stimulation." According to the findings, however, social media use was no more of a hindrance to sleep than other screen-based activities. "The type of screen activity does not appear to matter as much as the overall time spent using screens in bed," Hjetland says. "We found no significant differences between social media and other screen activities, suggesting that screen use itself is the key factor in sleep disruption – likely due to time displacement, where screen use delays sleep by taking up time that would otherwise be spent resting." Participants reported whether they used any electronic media in bed, and for how long. They specified if they were watching movies or TV, checking social media, browsing the internet, listening to audio, gaming, or reading study-related content. The researchers grouped these into three broader categories: just social media, no social media, or social media plus other screen-based activities. In addition, participants reported their bedtimes and rising times, how long it took them to fall asleep, how often they struggled to fall or stay asleep, how often they felt sleepy during the day, and duration of their sleep troubles. Those reporting more post-bedtime screen time were much more likely to report symptoms of insomnia, the study found. The specific activity seemed to matter less than total screen time, suggesting screen use might curtail sleep by displacing rest rather than boosting wakefulness. There are some notable caveats. The sample size is large, for example, yet lacks the cultural diversity to make the findings broadly generalizable. The study also grouped many screen-based activities together, obscuring possible nuance in narrower categories. And while the study shows correlation, it can't reveal causality. People checking social media actually reported better sleep overall, but the influence could go either way. "Another interpretation is that social media use is not the preferred activity for students who struggle the most with their sleep," the researchers write. Some students use technology as a sleep aid, and may choose activities commonly considered more calming, like watching a movie or listening to music instead of doomscrolling. "If you struggle with sleep and suspect that screen time may be a factor, try to reduce screen use in bed, ideally stopping at least 30 to 60 minutes before sleep," Hjetland says. "If you do use screens, consider disabling notifications to minimize disruptions during the night." The study was published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. Bird Flu Is Evolving Dangerously, But We Can Prevent a Disaster The Mere Thought of Being Hungry Could Alter Your Immune System A Sprinkle of Artificial Sweetener Could Help Battle Drug-Resistant Bacteria
Local Norway
08-04-2025
- Health
- Local Norway
What foreigners in Oslo think of the quality of life in the Norwegian capital
Approximately one-third of Oslo's residents have what's described as a foreign background, meaning they were born abroad or to two foreign-born parents in Norway. The reason children born to two foreign-born parents are included in immigration figures is that Norway only grants citizenship to children born in the country if they have at least one parent who is a Norwegian citizen . According to a public health survey from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health , immigrants in the Norwegian capital were lonelier, had slightly worse health, and poorer finances than Norwegians. 'The survey documents significant social and geographical health disparities in Oslo. It also points to a large gap in health and quality of life between different age and immigrant groups,' the report's conclusion read. Some 45,480 participated in the survey, which was translated into several languages to ensure that immigrants were significantly represented in the figures. Significant differences also exist between the capital's immigrant groups. Those hailing from Asia, South and Latin America, and Eastern Europe reported the highest levels of loneliness, with those born in Asia being twice as lonely as those born in Norway. Additionally, those from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe had lower trust in society than the rest of the population. Furthermore, non-western immigrants and immigrants from Eastern Europe had worse finances than other residents. Over half of those from Eastern Europe said they struggled to make ends meet, with 60 percent of immigrants from European countries outside the EU and 70 percent of immigrants from Africa or Asia experiencing the same. Advertisement In comparison, one in three Oslo residents in total said they had trouble making ends meet. Healthwise, immigrants from Asia and European countries outside the EU had the lowest proportion of those saying they were in good health. However, those from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand reported the best health – even higher than Norwegians and those from Nordic countries. ¨ 'The large differences within and between districts, including variations among immigrant groups, emphasise the need for targeted measures that take into account both socioeconomic, cultural and health-related factors,' the report's findings read. Generally, the report found that its residents considered Oslo a good place to live. Seven out of ten considered their own health to be good, and most experience Oslo as a safe city. READ ALSO: What is Oslo's traditional east-west divide, and does it still exist today?
Local Norway
07-04-2025
- Health
- Local Norway
What is Oslo's traditional east-west divide, and does it still exist today?
Oslo has traditionally had an east-west divide, with Uelands Street being the traditional informal border between east and west. The west end of Oslo has been home to the city's wealthier residents, while eastern Oslo has had a larger but poorer population. Some of the eastern districts in Oslo have been working-class areas since the 1800s, with the city's industry historicallly located on the east side and along the Akerselva River that runs through the city. With so many factories on the eastern side of Oslo, wealthier residents tended to lived to the west as the wind was less likely to blow smoke, smog and fumes over into their part of town. From the first wave of immigration into Norway in the 1960s through to today, migrants have often chosen to live in the much more affordable east – and today, eastern districts typically have a higher proportion of foreign residents than western boroughs. Despite Norway having generally low inequality, this divide within Oslo still colours perceptions, and the economic and cultural split between the two sides of Oslo is obvious to those familiar with the city. The Oslo Public Health Survey for 2024 by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH/FHI) shows that the traditional east-west divide still impacts residents today, The NIPHS reports that large variations in health, well-being and living conditions existed between residents on both sides of the city. 'Western districts are characterised by better health and socioeconomic conditions, while in several eastern districts, there is a higher incidence of health problems, financial difficulties and lower proportions reporting good support networks,' the NIPH wrote in its summary. The report reported that class differences between residents impacted general health. Those with poorer finances and a lower level of education had greater physical and mental health problems and exercised less. Advertisement Just one in three of the poorest residents said they had good health compared to 90 percent of wealthier residents who said the same thing. 'In summary, the findings indicate that health and living conditions in Oslo are not randomly distributed, but follow clear geographical patterns with consistent differences between eastern and western parts of the city,' the NIPH said. Some 45,840 Oslo residents over the age of 18 participated in the survey. Inequality in a country with an egalitarian reputation In a report on inequality in Oslo from the Norwegian Social Research (NOVA) , a research centre at OsloMet, Professor Jørn Ljunggren said the city's higher levels of inequality set it apart from the rest of the country. 'Oslo is different from the rest of the country. There is social inequality everywhere, but it is most pronounced in Oslo,' he said. "The divide does not fit the Norwegian egalitarian self-image very well, but at least it is being talked about more now than it was 15 years ago,' the researcher added. Advertisement While a divide exists in Oslo, it is still better off than most cities that struggle with inequality. For example, the NIPH survey found that seven out of ten considered their own health to be good, and most experience Oslo as a safe city. Oslo's traditional dividing lines have blurred more recently, too. Boroughs like Grünerløkka, Tøyen and Torshov are becoming trendier and more expensive as formerly working-class areas become increasingly gentrified. READ ALSO: Five ways Oslo is different from the rest of Norway
Saudi Gazette
01-04-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Screen time in bed linked to insomnia, study finds
LONDON — People who spend extended time using digital devices in bed are more likely to experience insomnia and reduced sleep duration, according to a large Norwegian study of over 45,000 students. The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, found that each additional hour of screen use in bed was associated with a 63% higher risk of insomnia and 24 fewer minutes of sleep. Researchers, however, emphasized that the findings are correlational and do not prove causation. Dr. Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, lead author of the study, said that the type of screen activity — whether watching videos, browsing, or using social media — did not significantly affect the results. "Screen use itself is the key factor in sleep disruption," she said. Participants in the study, aged 18 to 28, were surveyed in 2022 on their bedtime were asked how often they used screens after going to bed and for how included watching TV or movies, using social media, browsing the internet, and gaming. Around 69% of participants said they used social media in addition to other screen-based activities before who reported difficulty falling or staying asleep, early waking, or daytime fatigue at least three times a week for three months were classified as experiencing researchers acknowledged that their findings were based on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias, and stressed that the study should not be generalized to populations outside experts say the research adds to growing evidence that screen use can negatively impact sleep. 'It steals both opportunity and the quality of your sleep,' said Joshua Piper, a UK-based sleep clinician at noted that even adjusting screen brightness or enabling night mode may not be enough to counteract the stimulating effects of device to UK health experts, around one in three people experience some form of insomnia. Common culprits include late-night phone use and "doomscrolling."Experts recommend minimizing digital device use before bed, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and engaging in relaxing activities such as reading, taking a bath, or doing breathing exercises. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and large meals before bedtime can also therapist Dr. Kat Lederle advised getting early morning sunlight exposure to regulate the body's internal clock and suggested winding down with calming, non-stimulating researchers behind the study called for further long-term research into how screen time affects sleep, including the impact of nighttime notifications and other digital interruptions. — BBC
